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Local focus: 9 apps that make life in Oklahoma easier

After dodging this week’s “severe” weather (granted I am probably the only native Oklahoman who is actually scared of tornadoes), getting stuck in traffic (nothing new there) and hopelessly lost in Tulsa this weekend, I got to thinking about the mobile apps that I depend on daily. Most have a solely local function.

After wondering whether there are other Okie-centric apps out there that might make life easier, or at least more interesting to my disorganized, nerd-mind, I did a few searches in the app store and I discovered some interesting apps that soon had me wondering how I could have lived so long without them.

iMap Weather Radio (From Google.com)

iMap Weather Radio – $9.99

Developed by Weather Decision Technologies, this app houses radar and breaking updates on current severe weather watches and warnings. The best feature however, is the alert system. The app is designed to be able to wake you up in an emergency severe weather situation. Pricey, yes, but if it will wake me up for a tornado warning, I am in.

Made in Oklahoma – Free

Oklahoma’s chefs, restaurants, products and recipes are all in one place for foodies who want some local fare. It is surprising to find that many of the products lining grocery store shelves are made just a few miles away.

The Spy FM – Free

Spotify and Pandora are all very well, but The Spy FM is 100 percent local. You can catch Okie-native bands as well as an interesting mix of other music streaming on your phone. Let me tell you, it came in handy during my days in Washington, D.C. longing for local music.

Norman Musc Festival (From Google.com)

Norman Music Festival – Free

The sixth annual festival is right around the corner and the entire lineup is listed by band, stage and day in the festival’s app, the app will also store the bands you select to see and when for an easy reference. Even though the festival is not quite on the scale of SXSW or Coachella, it is well-worth the download to keep track of what you plan to see and hear this Saturday.

Oklahoma DOT Traveller – Free

Driving back and forth to Oklahoma City from Norman seems an easy enough task, until it’s 4:30 p.m on a Friday and traffic isn’t moving. This app, developed and powered by the Oklahoma Department of Transportation, will allow you to see current traffic conditions and advisories based on your location. It will also show you the nearest highway based on your proximity, something vital to the location-challenged driver just like me.

Memorial Marathon – Free

The annual Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon is coming up on April 28. Even if you are not planning to run (and I am one of those), the app is free to download and track your friends and family’s progress along the 26.2-mile trek.

Oklahoma in your Pocket (From Google)

Oklahoma in your Pocket – $4.99

Keep an eye on your elected representatives by keeping them close — in your pocket to be precise. The app costs more than a cup of coffee, but will come in handy the next time you need to make a call to your senator or visit the capitol. Which happens more than you might think, especially as a journalism and political science student.

OK Snakes – $0.99

If you are like me, you grew up in central Oklahoma and took many a camping trip as a child, not to mention living not too far from nature and seeing your fair share of snakes in the backyard. This app lets you get familiar with the surrounding wildlife and will come in handy the next time you take that spur-of-the-moment hiking trip or just get a hankering to plant something in said backyard.

Got any apps that you just can’t live without? Let me know in the comments.